Transfer Centre

Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt strongly hints at Barcelona move

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 21 May 2019

Matthijs de Ligt hints at Barcelona move

In-demand Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt drops his strongest hint yet that a move to Barcelona would be his preferred option this summer.

In-demand Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt has strongly suggested that he would prefer a move to Barcelona above any other club this summer.

The 19-year-old has already confirmed that he will be leaving the Dutch outfit during the current transfer window, having emerged as one of the most sought-after players in Europe courtesy of a memorable 2018-19 campaign.

De Ligt led Ajax to a league and cup double as well as the semi-finals of the Champions League, attracting interest from Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Juventus, amongst others.

Barcelona have long been considered the frontrunners for the centre-back's signature, and he has now admitted that he would like to continue playing in the same side as Ajax teammate Frenkie de Jong, who has already agreed to join Barca this summer.

"I think [De Jong] has developed very well this year, he deserves the move to Barcelona," De Ligt told VoetbalPrimeur.

"It would be nice to play with Frenkie in a team, but I don't know if it will happen."

De Ligt's performances this season earned him the Dutch Player of the Year award, while De Jong took home the Young Player of the Year gong.